I am getting a 2007 mini copper and wonder if I should get studded or studless tires for the winter driving and what make of tires. I panic driving in ice so I was leaning towards studded tires. I am in the process of exchanging my 2006 Mini Cooper S automatic for a 2007 mini cooper automatic under the lemon law because I had too many problems with the check engine light and poor gas mileage (21 highway). I drive in Buffalo New York.
You don't really need studded tires, but in this area a set of good true winter tires is a good idea. Winter tires manufactured with a hydrophilic (water loving) compound stop almost as well as studded tires on ice. Bridgestone Blizzaks are an example of hydrophilic tires, but there are others as well (e.g. Dunlop Graspics, I believe). That type of tire handles differently than stock tires so you should be sure to put winter tires on all 4 wheels.
Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com) sells winter packages that include tires mounted and balanced on a set 15" black steel wheels (or fancier ones if you prefer). Easy peasy - place the order and you'll have a stack of tires on your doorstep probably within in a couple of days.
I put my snow tires on yesterday, and they sure are noisier than the Continental all seasons, particularly on dry pavement. I think I'd take noise over snow though...
Snows on for a little over a week now. Always takes a few days to adjust to the difference in handling. Softer ride than the runflats, but not as secure feeling going around corners, etc.
Towne Mini sells snow tires on basic rims for about $700 I believe. When my 2007 MCS gets delivered in Feb, I was planning on getting that set of snow tires. Does anyone have any experience with those tires?
Or would it be a smarter to just buy snow tires and use the rims that come with the Mini. I'll probably have to pay extra for wheel balancing.
Of course if the weather forceast for end of feb & march shows very little snow, I might just get the snow tires next winter.
For whatever it's worth my suggestion is not to use the rims that come with the car, rather get a set of black steel rims for the snows. When the time comes, switchover is easy.
Problem with using the stock rims for snow tires:
1. You have to pay to have the winter / summer tires switched twice per year (winter / spring) 2. Increased probability of the rims being damaged by salt, sliding into something hard, etc. 3. Increased probability of damage to the rims during switchover by inexperienced / hurrying tire tech
I just checked on Tirerack [url=http://www.tirerack.com] and they don't appear to have any more steel wheels available. You might be able to find some at another online supplier. I think I recall that you could also use wheels that would fit a Honda,as teh bolt pattern and offset are the same, although I'd verify that before purchase.
Whatever, do get a set of snows, especially if your pending car has performance tires. The all weather tires might get you through some bad weather, but the performance tires are dangerous in snow. I've been using 15" Blizzaks and steel wheels on each MCS that I've owned and getting through snow & ice hasn't been a major problem.
